Dive Brief:
- DAT has integrated HubTran document management capabilities into its Keypoint Transportation Management System (TMS), allowing customers to automate routine paperwork associated with accounts payable, accounts receivable, and other business-critical tasks, DAT reported.
- HubTran relies on optical character recognition and AI to identify common documents such as bills of lading, proofs of delivery, and carrier invoices, aligning documents to the customer orders and carrier rate agreements already existing in DAT Keypoint.
- Exceptions and variances are caught by HubTran and passed on to appropriate personnel for resolution. Human error is greatly reduced as a result of system accuracy.
Dive Insight:
Despite predictions that freight forwarders may no longer be useful as shippers and carriers use technology to automate, improve data visibility and rate transparency, it seems that forwarders are keeping up with their own tech innovation.
Most members of the freight forwarding industry acknowledge the risk, with only 17% believing technology poses no threat to existing business.
HubTran is an example of technology creating greater accuracy and speed within the freight forwarding process. Those who wish to keep up with the latest processes will likely seek out this or a similar system.
"The HubTran platform is built for 3PLs and brokers, like users of DAT Keypoint," HubTran CEO Matt Bernstein told Supply Chain Dive. "These companies operate in a highly competitive industry and need to manage cash flow and efficiency in order to grow, yet many still rely on manual processes within their back-office which add cost and slow customer invoicing."
He also cites the value of the technology for supply chain managers aiming to improve productivity, pointing to freight forwarders' value, which despite technological innovation in the industry hasn't diminished.
"HubTran's machine learning and OCR technology automates the business critical back-office functions of 3PLs and brokers, allowing them to process carrier and customer invoices faster with more accuracy and less work," he said.
